uncooked meat in cold water........how long is too long before cooking it?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

it depends on the type of meat, the thickness, and how cold the water is. generally,it is ok to cook as long as the meat still feels cold and you are cooking it right away. if you notice a faint bad smell, dscoloration, or sliminess on the surface, toss it out.

been cooking for 12 years.

The key to your question is how long has the meat been thawed. If you put a big chunk of frozen meat in cold water overnight so it completely thawed right before you cook it, it will be safe. We need to either refrigerate or cook meat because the temperature in between is the dangerous zone when bacteria can grow and fester. Leaving meat at room temperature for extended hours is unsafe. If you don't know when the meat thawed, and the color and smell remain normal, on the safe side, make sure you cook the meat to the required safe temperature and time required:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Keep…

Honest answer - don't cook it! let it dry and then eat it raw so you get to eat all the yummy blood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK - professional answer - does it look ok? that should give you a clue

Its safe to cook,but safe to eat is another thing

define cold